Badgers Take Eighth at Lady Buckeye Invitational
April 22, 2007 | Women's Golf
With each golfer posting a score at least eight strokes over par Sunday, the University of Wisconsin women's golf team posted a season-high three-round total, but was able to hold on to tie for eighth at the Lady Buckeye Invitational.
Playing at the par-72, 5,887-yard Ohio State University Golf Club Scarlet Course, the Badgers shot a final round of 39-over par 327 to end in a tie with Indiana at 104-over with a 968 (324-317-327). The three-round total of 968 was the highest score for the Badgers since last year's 'Mo'morial, Mar. 10-12 where they shot a 997.
For the 15th time in the team's last 16 events, junior Katie Elliott was Wisconsin 's top finisher. The Madison, Wis. native shot a final round of eight-over 80 to move from a tie for 6th after round two into a tie for 13th. It was Elliott's best finish since tying for fifth at this year's Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, Mar. 9-11. For the tournament, Elliott was 16-over par with a 232 (74-78-80). It was her highest three-round total since last year's 'Mo'morial where she shot a 245.
Freshman Kelsey Verbeten (Green Bay, Wis.) set a new personal-best by finish in a tie for 26th. Verbeten, whose best previous finish was tying for 32nd at this year's Badger Invitational Sept. 10-11, shot a final round of eight-over 80 to stay at 26th for the second straight round. For the tournament, Verbeten was 23-over par with a 239 (82-77-80).
Senior Jill Ries finished in a tie for 44th. The Middleton, Wis. native shot a final round of 13-over par 85 to fall from a tie for 33rd after round two into her final position. For the tournament Ries was 30-over par with a 246 (82-79-85).
The Badgers had two golfers finish in a tie for 70th. Sophomores Isabel Alvarez (Gijon, Spain) and Jeana Dahl (Fargo, N.D.) each shot a 41-over 257. Alvarez, who had not posted a three-round total as high as 257 (86-88-83) since last year's 'Mo 'morial when she shot a 261, shot a final round of 11-over 83 to move up from a tie for 79th. Dahl, who was in a tie for 75th after round two, shot a 12-over 84 in Sunday 's final round. Her score of 41-over par 257 (88-85-84) was the highest 54-hole total score of her career.
One stroke behind Alvarez and Dahl was freshman Heather Herrick (Hartland, Wis.). Herrick, who was tied for 75th after round two, shot a 13-over par 85 to move up a spot on the leader board and finish tied for 74th. Her round of 42-over par 258 (90-83-85) set a new-career high score for 54-holes.
Purdue's Maria Hernandez, the only golfer to finish under par, won the individual title by posting a one-under 215 (72-70-73). Purdue also claimed the team title by shooting a 27-over 891 (298-295-298).
The Wisconsin women's golf team returns to action next weekend, April 27-29, when it travels to East Lansing, Mich. for the Big Ten Championships.
